Pipe cutting device

ABSTRACT

A pipe cutting device is characterized by a continuous link chain which is stretched tightly about the pipe with guide lugs being bilaterally provided at the face side of the links. A rolling carriage is arranged between the lugs for traveling 360* around the pipe. The carriage is provided with suitable adjustable cutting or other operating means.

United States Patent Protze et al.

[ Sept. 5, 1972 [54] PIPE CUTTING DEVICE [72] Inventors: Josef Protze;Max Leidl, both of Frankfurt/ Main, Hanauer, Germany [73] Assignee:Messer Griesheim GmbH, Frankfurt/ Main, Germany [22] Filed: Feb. 23,1971 21 Appl. No.: 118,116

30 Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 27, 1970 Germany ..P 20 09287.9

[52] U.S. Cl ..82/70.2, 82/4 C, 90/ 12, 143/47, 143/157 [51] Int. Cl..B23b 3/04, B23b 3/22 [58] Field of Search ..82/70.2, 46, 4.3, 101, 72;90/12; 143/157, 47

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,159,287 5/1939 Morgan..82/4 C 2,842,238 7/ 1958 Shaw et al ..82/4 C 2,561,484 7/1951 Shaw etal ..82/4 C 2,705,629 4/1955 Miller ..266/23 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1,286,384 2/ 1969 Germany Primary ExaminerHarris0n L.l-linson AttorneyConnolly and Hutz [57] ABSTRACT A pipe cutting deviceis characterized by a continuous link chain which is stretched tightlyabout the pipe with guide lugs being bilaterally provided at the faceside of the links. A rolling carriage is arranged between the lugs fortraveling 360 around the pipe. The carriage is provided with suitableadjustable cutting or other operating means.

13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SHEET 2 [1F 3 mimosa? 51912 BACKGROUNG OFINVENTION This invention relates to a device for the cutting topredetermined lengths for grinding or polishing and/or for the weldingof pipes, joined together at their front sides when the device operatesby means of a separating or a grinding unit, which may be replaced by awelding unit.

With the customary separating and welding units, it is impossible underany circumstances to achieve a perfect circular cut without at least oneadjustment. In addition, the known devices until now are verycomplicated, are enormously heavy, and in practice are in no way easilyserviced. These devices may not at all be employed under anycircumstances with respect to a varied pipe diameter or in tight spaceconditions, such as in a shaft, for example.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Because of the known disadvantages, the noveldevice was developed, which is characterized in that around the pipe ofany desired diameter, there is placed a wide, continuously tensile linkchain, proportioned in its length. The chain is provided with guide lugsbilaterally protruding inwards at the front side of the links whereon arolling carriage is arranged with a mounted separating or welding unitfor the unobstructed revolution of at least 360.

The weight of the novel chain is so insignificant that the chain may beattached to an extremely large pipe by only one person. Similarly asuitable separating or welding unit approximately corresponds to theweight of a hand drill.

The novel device may therefore be utilized for pipes of all diameters,from such which are better to cut with a hand saw, and indeed inany'situation, especially in such where the customary ones are notsuitable.

In the drawings, the device for the cutting to length of pipes isillustrated in an exemplary manner.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a device in a perspective view of a device ofthis invention in a mounted state;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the novel device, also mounted on a pipe;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a chain, perspectively illustratedwith only three links;

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of a chain in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a possible chain tensioning device;

FIG. 6 is a view taken through FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of the carriage on which anoperating unit such as a customary separating or welding apparatus maybe supported swingably and movably in the chain around the pipecircumference; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The main characteristic of the invention is thedesign of chain 1 or the link chain 21 of FIG. 8. Using a certain numberof links 2 or 2', as shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4, the chain maybe stretched, exactly at a angle to the pipe axis, continuously aroundeach pipe 20 having any desired diameter. Due to the guideways or lugs3, bilaterally provided at the front side of the individual links 2 or2' and pointing downward, it is possible to movably guide a carriage 4.In this respect carriage 4 (as shown in FIG. 7) preferably has two pairsof rollers 5, 6 mounted at a distance from each other and has a supportplate 7 upon which is provided holding devices 13 and 14. The rollerpairs 5 and 6 as well as guideways 3 are dimensioned with respect toeach other in height and distance in such a manner that with a toleranceor clearance allowing satisfactory movement while astill sufiicientlyprecise guiding is afforded.

The joining of the links 2 or 2' may be accomplished in any desiredmanner, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3 the links 2' having matingtongues and recesses represent one form of link construction.Additionally for example, the links may also be connected by means ofbolts 8 by interlocking the links, similar to tank treads, or bymounting of straps 9, which are movably riveted outside at the links atthe frontal side. As shown in the drawings chain 1 may be constructed inany desired manner as long as the construction facilitates the carriagemovement in an easily movable manner without any particularobstructions, hence not jerky in any way, whereby it is easy to move thecarriage around a pipe to be processed. While the chain links 2 of FIG.4 consist of customary, welded together sectional pieces, links 2' ofFIG. 5 may also be prepared in the casting process. To each chain 1,regardless of the design, there are arranged two end links 10, which,constructed in mirror image to each other, have laterally arranged anglepieces 11 to make possible the tightening of the chain by means ofscrews 12. In order not to overload screws 12, the supporting areas,spherically constructed in a known manner, may be provided at thebolthead and nut.

The holding device 13 of FIG. 7 provided at carriage 4 serves theappropriate and swingable mounting of the separating or welding unit 15;and the holding device 14--in the shape of a bent wing-serves for thesetting of the cutting depth. The separating or welding unit may withoutdifficulty be moved by hand around the pipe. I-Iolding devices 13, 14thus provide a detachable mounting means whereby one type of operatingunit may readily be replaced by another type of unit.

It is also possible in accordance with this invention to connect anadvance drive arrangement with plate 7, whereby the movement is startedelectromechanically with the appropriate transmission. For the arrestingof the separating or welding unit, there is swingably attached on plate7 a catch 16 which is brought into action between the chain links 2, 2or the guideways 3. In place of catch 16, there could also be provided abrake. With an appropriate design or dimensioning, chain 1 may also bemade of synthetic material.

FIG. 8 illustrates a link chain 21 placed about pipe 20. The link chain21 is formed by chains 22, 23 i'which are mounted at a certain distanceby means of bolts 24.

At each of links 25, 26 there are attached guide lugs 27, 28. Betweenthe guide lugs 27, 28 there is movably arranged a carriage 29, which hasrollers 30, 31. For a lateral guidance of carriage 29, rollers 33 may beprovided. On the carriage there may be set up a separating and cuttingunit, schematically illustrated in the drawing and designated with 32.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for performing an operation on arcuate pipes characterizedin a continuous link chain adapted to be stretched tightly about thepipe, guide lugs bilaterally provided at the face side of the links ofsaid chain to provide a continuous 360 track around the pipe, a rollingcarriage movably mounted in said track, and an operating united mountedon said carriage.

2. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the individual links ofthe link chain are held together laterally by straps.

3. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the link chain consists oflinks which are welded together at right angles to each other frompieces of U iron sections.

4. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the link chain consists ofa number of links which are continuous in its entire length andcorrespond to the outside diameter of the pipe to be processed.

5. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the link chain is providedwith two end links which have laterally mounted tension devices.

6. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the rolling carriage isprovided with two pairs of rollers fitting into the guide lugs, saidcarriage having a plate whereon holding means mounted on said plate fora separating mounting an operating unit and an advance aggregate, andlocking device on said plate in the form of an adjustable catch.

7. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the individual links ofthe link chain are held together by transversely situated bolts.

8. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the link chain consists oflinks which are cast from a light but solid material, the individuallinks being fitted together by mating tongues and recesses.

9. A device of claim 1, characterized in the carriage includesdetachable mounting means for detachably mounting replaceable operatingunits.

10. A device of claim 9, characterized in that the detachable mountingmeans includes a plate, a slotted vertical flange mounted substantiallyperpendicular to the plate at one end thereof, and a bent slotted wingvertically mounted at the other end of the plate.

11. A device of claim 10, characterized in that the operating unit is amanually movable cutting apparatus adjustably secured to the flange andwing in accordance with the cutting depth.

12. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the link chain consistsof a pair of spaced parallel chains interconnected to each other, andthe carriage having pairs of rollers disposed above and below each guidelug.

13. A device of claim 12, characterized in that the chains areinterconnected by bolts, and a further roller being provided on thecarriage for the lateral guidance thereof.

1. A device for performing an operation on arcuate pipes characterizedin a continuous link chain adapted to be stretched tightly about thepipe, guide lugs bilaterally provided at the face side of the links ofsaid chain to provide a continuous 360* track around the pipe, a rollingcarriage movably mounted in said track, and an operating united mountedon said carriage.
 2. A device of claim 1, characterized in thAt theindividual links of the link chain are held together laterally bystraps.
 3. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the link chainconsists of links which are welded together at right angles to eachother from pieces of U iron sections.
 4. A device of claim 1,characterized in that the link chain consists of a number of links whichare continuous in its entire length and correspond to the outsidediameter of the pipe to be processed.
 5. A device of claim 1,characterized in that the link chain is provided with two end linkswhich have laterally mounted tension devices.
 6. A device of claim 1,characterized in that the rolling carriage is provided with two pairs ofrollers fitting into the guide lugs, said carriage having a platewhereon holding means mounted on said plate for a separating mounting anoperating unit and an advance aggregate, and locking device on saidplate in the form of an adjustable catch.
 7. A device of claim 1,characterized in that the individual links of the link chain are heldtogether by transversely situated bolts.
 8. A device of claim 1,characterized in that the link chain consists of links which are castfrom a light but solid material, the individual links being fittedtogether by mating tongues and recesses.
 9. A device of claim 1,characterized in the carriage includes detachable mounting means fordetachably mounting replaceable operating units.
 10. A device of claim9, characterized in that the detachable mounting means includes a plate,a slotted vertical flange mounted substantially perpendicular to theplate at one end thereof, and a bent slotted wing vertically mounted atthe other end of the plate.
 11. A device of claim 10, characterized inthat the operating unit is a manually movable cutting apparatusadjustably secured to the flange and wing in accordance with the cuttingdepth.
 12. A device of claim 1, characterized in that the link chainconsists of a pair of spaced parallel chains interconnected to eachother, and the carriage having pairs of rollers disposed above and beloweach guide lug.
 13. A device of claim 12, characterized in that thechains are interconnected by bolts, and a further roller being providedon the carriage for the lateral guidance thereof.